SITE Intel on Friday published a video by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) media outlet, Umar Studio, interviewing Hakimullah Mehsud and Wali ur-Rahman regarding the connection between the TTP, the Afghan Taliban, and al Qaeda. Mehsud reiterated that Mullah Omar is the leader of all three groups. Meshud also cited that the TTP was the first group to launch attacks in retaliation to Osama Bin Laden’s death and said TTP members would sacrifice themselves in order to protect al Qaeda. Meshud announced that the TTP does not see a distinction between Afghanistan and Pakistan and will continue to fight in both spheres. In response to peace negotiations between the TTP and the Pakistani government, Mehsud stated that the TTP is willing to negotiate with the Pakistani government on the condition that the government abandons its servitude to the U.S. and does not insist on the TTP laying down its arms.[1]

In anticipation of the State of the Union address; officials from the White House reported on Monday that President Obama will announce a plan to withdraw 34,000 troops from Afghanistan by 2014. The plan reportedly proposes a tiered withdrawal, leaving some 8,000 troops in the country in 2014, and lowering that number to around 1,000 (primarily in the U.S. embassy) by 2017.[3]

On Monday, talks started between officials in Islamabad and Tehran to coordinate the final engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the $1.5 billion gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan. Construction of the pipeline is slated to begin a month after finalization of the EPC contract. [6]

Contention at Ulema Conference

On Tuesday, Pakistani clerics responeded to a dispute with Afghan clerics over the Taliban by threatening to boycott the upcoming Ulema Council scheduled to take place in Afghanistan next month. “Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, head of the All Pakistan Ulema Council…accused the visiting Afghan clerics of trying to use the upcoming conference to denounce the Taliban and elicit support for the Afghan government. He insisted the Taliban be invited to the event to advance the peace process.” Afghan clerics responded by downplaying the contention, suggesting the dispute was more with Ashrafi specifically than the Pakistani Council in general.[7]

An improvised explosive device (IED) with 2kg of explosive material and ball bearings detonated outside a Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) sub-station in Karachi on Tuesday. The blast damaged the outer wall and injured one police officer.[9]

On Monday, The special investigation department of the police’s Criminal Investigative Department (CID) arrested three people accused of being involved targeted killings in Karachi. Two of the people arrested are alleged members of the TTP.[10]